When development can be done properly, then why destroy nature?

While there is insistence on imposing a mega-port project in a protected mangrove area, there is a real, viable and technically sound alternative that has already been evaluated:Puerto Armuelles.It’s not a new idea or an abstract promise. It’s a territory with existing infrastructure and natural conditions that prevent the destruction of what protects us.

Today a question arises: Why insist on Puerto Barú when Puerto Armuelles offers more advantages and fewer impacts?

A message to investors in Puerto Barú from Professor Elías Martínez, Electronics Engineer

An alternative supported by scientific evidence

The report «Panama. An alternative to Puerto Barú: Puerto Armuelles». The study, prepared by Lynker, analyzed in detail the oceanographic, logistical and environmental conditions of Puerto Armuelles as an alternative port location.

The conclusion is clear:Puerto Armuelles meets, in several aspects, the operational requirements defined for Puerto Barúwith lower environmental risks and greater expansion capacity

Environmental advantage: far from mangroves and protected areas

Unlike Puerto Barú, which is located next to legally protected mangroves,Puerto Armuelles is located outside of sensitive areas., significantly reducing the risk to the coastal biodiversity of Chiriquí.

In a country that recognizes the Rights of Nature, this difference is not insignificant:It is an ethical and legal line.

Logistical advantage: existing infrastructure and real connectivity

Puerto Armuelles already hastwo viable access routes to the Pan-American Highway,including a 37.1 km four-lane highway to Paso Canoas, fully operational for freight transport. In addition, the study identifies aalternative route of 30.7 kmwhich could be developed to avoid residential areas and organize the logistical flow.

«Access between Puerto Armuelles and the city of David is available via two routes, both connecting to the Pan-American Highway/Route 1/CA-1 and David. The first route utilizes the existing northbound road from Puerto Armuelles, traveling approximately 37.1 km to Paso Canoas on the Panama-Costa Rica international border (blue line, Figure 2-1). A review of satellite imagery shows that this route is a four-lane divided highway, with two lanes southbound and two lanes northbound. This preliminary assessment indicates that the current road should be a suitable freight access route to Puerto Armuelles, although the distance to David via the Pan-American Highway is greater.»

«An alternative 30.7 km route (red line, Figure 2-1) has also been identified for the potential construction of a new road. This route would avoid major intersections in nearby cities and could be designed to meet the requirements of Stage 2 of the project, while providing more direct access to the highway.»

Economic advantage: deep waters without permanent dredging

One of the most compelling points of the report is the bathymetry. Puerto Armuelles is a natural deep-water port, with nearshore depths required for large vessels,without the need for constant dredging.

So why insist on Puerto Barú when Puerto Armuelles offers more advantages and fewer negative impacts? The answer is clear: No to Puerto Barú.

Regarding this, Professor Elias Martinez, an Electronics Engineer, extends an invitation: “I invite you, I urge you: instead of destroying things there, come here because we already have an infrastructure being built here in Puerto Armuelles.”